Australian Open 2025 as it happened: Sinner’s straight-sets glory; ‘I get why fans booed’, injured Djoker says

Jannik Sinner can join the likes of Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer as a back-to-back Australian Open men’s singles champion on Sunday night after advancing to another final.

Italy’s world No.1 had an uncharacteristically tardy start, staved off two set points in the first, and even suffered from cramping before completing a 7-6 (7-2), 6-2, 6-2 victory over American Ben Shelton.

It was not a signature Sinner performance like 12 months ago when he dispatched 10-time winner Djokovic in the semi-finals, but he still advanced to face German Alex Zverev.

The last time the Open’s top two men’s seeds met was Djokovic’s straight-sets demolition of Rafael Nadal six years ago.

“[There was] a lot of tension today, slightly cramps, but he was also suffering today a little bit in his legs,” Sinner said.

“I tried to move him around, [and] stay a little bit more aggressive, which today helped a lot.

“These matches can go very, very long. For three sets, two-and-a-half hours is quite a time … [but] I’m very happy to be back in the finals, and then we see what is coming on Sunday.”

There was drama during the third set as the explosive Shelton’s level soared again and Sinner’s legs were visibly wobbling at the other end.

Three break points came and went across Sinner’s opening two service games, and his cramping worsened in the fifth game as Shelton tried to edge 3-2 ahead.

But the American double-faulted, then dumped a forehand into the net to give Sinner the lead for good as the Italian breezed to the finish line.

Shelton had his chances, twice being up a break in a 71-minute opening set where his hyper-aggressive approach rattled his rival on occasion.

The problem was that the unforced errors began to flow, and he already had 27 by the end of the first set, including five in the tie-breaker.

“It was a very tough first set, but a very crucial one,” Sinner said.

“The first set is always very important. There was a lot of tension for both of us, and I’m very happy how I handled the situation today.”

That’s all we have for you tonight.

Thanks so much for joining us. Please come back tomorrow evening as we bring you all the major moments and post-match reactions from the women’s final between Aryna Sabalenka and Madison Keys.

We look forward to seeing you then.

Bye for now.

Jannik Sinner is the top player in the world and chasing a second-straight Australian Open title but he still has improvement to go.

He was asked tonight about how well he has played since moving into the top spot last year.

“Obviously it’s a great position to be in but [in the] back of my head I also know that I’m 23 years old, and I am not perfect, no?” Sinner said.

“I know that I have things still to improve. I have certain areas where I can get better. That’s why we work for, no?

“As I said before, every day is a big challenge. Every day you have a different opponent. You try to understand what’s happening. Sometimes you have some issues and then [it’s about] trying to understand that whatever works best for that day and trying to go for it, no?

“Everyone makes mistakes … nobody’s perfect. Yeah, that’s it.”

Jannik Sinner can join the likes of Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer as a back-to-back Australian Open men’s singles champion on Sunday night after advancing to another final.

Italy’s world No.1 had an uncharacteristically tardy start, staved off two set points in the first, and even suffered from cramping before completing a 7-6 (7-2), 6-2, 6-2 victory over American Ben Shelton.

It was not a signature Sinner performance like 12 months ago when he dispatched 10-time winner Djokovic in the semi-finals, but he still advanced to face German Alex Zverev.

The last time the Open’s top two men’s seeds met was Djokovic’s straight-sets demolition of Rafael Nadal six years ago.

“[There was] a lot of tension today, slightly cramps, but he was also suffering today a little bit in his legs,” Sinner said.

“I tried to move him around, [and] stay a little bit more aggressive, which today helped a lot.

“These matches can go very, very long. For three sets, two-and-a-half hours is quite a time … [but] I’m very happy to be back in the finals, and then we see what is coming on Sunday.”

There was drama during the third set as the explosive Shelton’s level soared again and Sinner’s legs were visibly wobbling at the other end.

Three break points came and went across Sinner’s opening two service games, and his cramping worsened in the fifth game as Shelton tried to edge 3-2 ahead.

But the American double-faulted, then dumped a forehand into the net to give Sinner the lead for good as the Italian breezed to the finish line.

Shelton had his chances, twice being up a break in a 71-minute opening set where his hyper-aggressive approach rattled his rival on occasion.

The problem was that the unforced errors began to flow, and he already had 27 by the end of the first set, including five in the tie-breaker.

“It was a very tough first set, but a very crucial one,” Sinner said.

“The first set is always very important. There was a lot of tension for both of us, and I’m very happy how I handled the situation today.”

Sinner and Shelton spoke at the net and shared a hug. There is a fair chance they will have more meetings like this in the future.

Italian fans are celebrating around the Melbourne Park precinct while Sinner raised his racquet to acknowledge the crowd.

The question will be how bad those cramps were and whether he can replenish himself enough to beat Zverev who looks to be at the top of his game, played only 81 minutes today and will be playing at night which is his favoured time slot.

No.1 seed Jannik Sinner will face No.2 seed Alexander Zverev in the Australian Open men’s final.

The reigning champion returned to the decider with a straight-sets win over Ben Shelton this evening and his win came despite a late attack of leg cramps.

Sinner won 7-6, 6-2, 6-2 in a little over two and a half hours on court.